Ariella Henigan’s Dominant Performance Leads Kenwood Past Young
A 36-Point Outburst Powers the Broncos to a 69-61 Win
Kenwood guard Ariella Henigan had the ball deflected away toward halfcourt. She dove for it and was hit in the face from the scrum before coach Andre Lewis called timeout. Henigan was upset that a foul wasn’t called, but Lewis wanted her to stay composed. So after the timeout, Henigan caught a pass in the left corner, turned and hit a three-pointer with a stoic expression on her face. She knew the shot was going in.
Staying Calm in the Face of Intensity
Henigan’s 36-point performance powered the Broncos to a 69-61 win over host Young on Wednesday. She heeded her coach’s advice and stayed calm. Lewis said that in a highly intense game, the team that keeps its cool usually comes out on top.
Leading by Example
“It was big to keep my composure because I’m the one who runs the team,” Henigan said. “I needed to be in the game, and I couldn’t get in foul trouble. I needed to be there for my team.” As the team’s leader, Henigan knew that staying composed was crucial to her team’s success.
Kenwood’s Defensive Strategy
Kenwood seized control in the third quarter. Henigan said Lewis told the players to “let them come to you” and defend with their hands straight up. The Broncos, who used their size advantage and physicality, did not allow the Dolphins to get to the free-throw line.
Offensive Explosion
Offensively, Kenwood was led by Henigan, who scored 14 third-quarter points. “She’s — if not the best — one of the best players in the state,” Lewis said.
Aerial Connection
On one play, Kenwood forward Diann Jackson contested a shot at the rim and quickly grabbed the rebound. She turned and saw Henigan sprinting down the court and flung a quarterback-style throw that hit Henigan perfectly in stride. The Henigan-Jackson connection was the punctuation to a 10-2 third-quarter run that allowed Kenwood to gain the advantage.
Team Effort
The game was physical, with both teams ratcheting up the foul count. Young was in the bonus for the majority of the first half, but Kenwood had a response every time. Danielle Brooks finished with 13 points, and Icesis Thomas added a strong defensive presence on the perimeter.
Conclusion
With the win, Kenwood clinched the No. 1 seed in the CPS playoffs. There’s a chance for a rematch in the city championship game — which Young has won three consecutive years — and in the IHSA state playoffs. Kenwood has the players to make a deep playoff run, and Henigan’s scoring exploits were a big confidence-booster.
FAQs
* What was the final score in the game between Kenwood and Young?
The final score was 69-61 in favor of Kenwood.
* How many points did Ariella Henigan score in the game?
Henigan scored 36 points in the game.
* What was the key to Kenwood’s success in the game?
Staying calm and composed, as well as using their size advantage and physicality on defense, were key to Kenwood’s victory.
